Multiple fuse



Aug. 9, 1932. s, w 1,870,597

MULTIPLE vFUS E Filed June 4, 1931 INVENTOR YHMUEL J Wnm 2 A'ITOZNEYPatented Aug. 9, 1932 entree stares rarest @hhme than? SAMU EL J. WYNN,0F NORWALK, CQHNECC EIC'UT, ASSIGNO'R T0 L. IV-HOLDING C033,- POEATION,OF NEW YORK, El. '52., A CQRPQBATION 01? NEW YORK MULTIPLE FUSEApplication tiled. 311136 a, 1981. Serial No. 541,995.

' This invention relates to new and useful 7 improven'ients in amultiple fuse plum It is an object of this invention to construct amultiple fusep'lug which is characterized by a core adapted to assumevarious rotative positions and formed with a fuse chamber for thecombustion of the fuse elements, and a means on the core for selectivelyconnecting for operation different fuse elements in different positionsof the core so that in all poquently. when the fuse element burnt. aflame was thrown which would extend from the fuse body itself, which isunsatisfactory. The provision of a large fume chamber correspondinglycuts down the pressure within the chamber during comb'ustion so .as toreduce any possibility of the fuse body ruptnring. The size of the fusebody is limited commercially in that it must engage within .conventionalsockets and the provisions of one chamber which is adapted to assumevarious positions so as to selectively house the fuse element inoperation forms the basis of this invention.

It is a still further object of this invention to arrange the core insuch a mannerthat it shields all the other fuse elements except the onewhich is in connection. This arrangement prevents the flame from theshot fuse element from damaging any of the other elements.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a hollow body in amultiple fuse 1 )lug and having a pair of contacts and carrying aplurality of fuse elements equally spaced from each other, the fuseelements being connected up with one contact. whereby a means carriedupon a core accomplishes the closing of acircuit from the one contact tothe other through any of thefuse elements. A still further object ofthis invention is the provision of a means on the core of the fuse forconnecting any of the fuse elements selectively with a member which isin turn connected with the shell contact. Another object of thisinvention is the arrangement of fuse elements vinthe form of fingersintegral with the base portion for connection with one. of the contactson the fuse plug. Further, to form dovetailed grooves in said fuse bodyand force the fingers therein so that they maintain their positions. y

A. still further object of this invention is the provision of a cap onthe body of the fuse plug for holding the core in place.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a handleprojection or a recess in the core for providing'agrippi ng portion toturn the core into the various rotative positions. v

. A still further object of this invention is the provision of means forlimiting rotation of the core in one direction only so that the fuseelements are burnt in 'se uence.

Furthermore, as another 0 ject, this invention proposes theconstructionof the core in a manner to provide a mam fume chamber inwhich the combustion of the fuse element of the ends of any of the fuseelements depending upon the position of rotation -of the core.

As a still further object it is proposed to construct each of the fuseelements of sub stantially U-shape in transverse section and toconstruct the springmentioned in the previous paragraph similarly at oneend so that the parts may interengage and form a ratchet titi till

of, reference will be had to the following description and accompanyingdrawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel featuresof the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a material part of this disclosureFig. 1 is a plan view of a fuse constructed according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the body of the fuse, per se.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a back elevational view of the core,

per se.

Fig. 6 is a front view of Fig. 5

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line-77 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 10 is anelevationa-l view of a core constructed according to amodification of the invention.

The multiple fuse, according to this invention, comprises a core 10adapted to assume various rotative positions and formed with a fumechamber 11 for combustion of fuse elements 12 within the body 13. Thecore 10 has a top projecting portion 14 constituting a handle so that itmay be manually turned to different rotative positions. A flange 15 atthe top of the core/ serves to close the top end of the fuse body 13. Acap 16 is engaged over the fuse body and has its inner ends extendingover the flange 15 so as to rotatively hold the core 10 in place. Thelower portion 17 of the core 10 is of cylindrical form so as to tightlyfit within the hollow body 13. At the top, right beneath the flange, thecylindrical body is formed with a recess 18 in which a ring 19 rests.The ring and recess are of narrow width throughout most of their length,widening only at one portion 20. The ring is formed from a metallicstrip bent around the core and having its ends 19 bent radially into aslot formed in the core so as to maintain itself in place. The part 20of the ringis cut in tongue form and is engageable a ainstthe tips ofthe fuse elements,

shown in ig. 2.

The combustlon chamber 11 is in the core and commun1cates w1th one sideof the core and at this point is of a'size so as to be capable ofencircling one of 'thefuse elements at a time. Inside within the core,the fume chamber enlarges. A discharge passage 21 communicates with thefume chamber and discharges inside of the contact ring 19. At the lowerextremity, the core is formed with a small projection 22 adapted toengage with a corresponding reduced part within the fuse body 13 toguide the rotative mounting of the core. The fuse body 13 is recessed atthe top, as indicated by reference numeral 23, so as to'accommodate astationary contact spring 24 insulated fromthetop ends of the fuseelements 12 by an insulation washer 25. The fuse elements 12 aredisposed within dovetailed grooves 26 formed in the insulation -washerand upon the inside wall of the body 13 and extending from the recessedportion 23 downwards to the bottom of the fuse body and there integralwith a base disc portion 27 which is disposed within a recess 28 formedin the bottom of thefuse body. The horizontal portions of the fuseelements, which are located on the bottom of. the hollow body 13, arereduced at the points 12 to cause fusing of the fuse elements at thesepoints.

An end contact 29 is located upon the contact end of the fuse body onthe outer side and has a stem portion 30 extending into the hollow ofthe fuse body. 'A nut 31 is threadedly engaged upon the stem 30 andserves to clamp and hold the base portion 27 of the fuse ele ments inplace. A means is arranged upon the core 10 for selectively connectingforoperation different fuse elements 12 in different positions of thecore in a manner so that in all positions of the core the combustionchamber 11 is in a place selectively over the fuse elements. This meanscomprises the contact ring 1 19 which has the large portion 20 capableof extending downwards and contacting with the top ends of the fuseelements. This contacting end has a right angle 33 capable of engagingin the dovetailed grooves 26 and against the fuse elements so as to holdthe core in the selective rotative position. I

The contact tongue 20 also acts as a means for limiting rotation of thecore in one direction only. This is so in that if the core is turnedcounterclockwise, the tongue 20 tends to jam and preventcounterclockwise rotation of the core, but in the event that the core isturned clockwise, the spring tends to tightly Wind on the core andallows turning to various positions that are desired. For this reason,the fuse elements may be used in sequence. The contact ring 19 engageswith the contact 24. .This latter contact is connected with a lead 36extending to the outside of the core body and connecting with acustomary contact shell 37 on the body.

Numerals indicated by reference characters 38 are inscribed upon the topof the, ring 16 so as to indicate the location of the various fuseelements. An arrow 39 isinscribed up on the top of the projection 14 toindicate the dill'erent positions of rotation of the core. As shown inFig. 1, the'eore is in the position in which fuse No. 1 is connected foruse. The cap 16 is held in place by diametrically opposite tongues 40upon the lower edge being inwardsibelow a shoulder portion 41 formed onthe fuse body 13. In Fig. 10, a modified construction of the core hasbeen disclosed in whiclra recess 42 is formed at its top forreceiving aturning key to turn the core. This is used in lieu of the turningprojection 14. The advantage of this modified arrangement is thatunauthorized persons not having the proper turning key will be at agreat disadvantage to turn the core so as to reset the fuse.Thiswilleliminate tamering. Further. an authorized person may turn thefuse to a position wherein the circuit is opened either in that one ofthe fuse lingers has been left blank or that the fuse has been set to aburnt'out fuse element.

.The operation of the 'fuse may be tracedby assuming it in thecondition, shown in Figs. 1 and '2? In this condition, fuse elemcnt No.1 will be in circuit for use, that is, an electrical circuit will existfrom the end contact 29 through fuse element 1 to the ring contact 20,the contact 24, the connection 36. and finally the shell contact'37.After fuse'No. 1 has been blown, the core can be turned to its nextposition wherein fuse element 2 will be in circuit. The circuit wouldthen extend from the end-contact- 29 through fuse element 2, the contactring 20, the contact'24, 'the'connection 36 and the contact. shell'37.In this inanner,'all of the fuse, elements may be selectively used.

The fume chamberll should be designed of fume chamber which can belocated selectively to connect with any of the fuse elements is of greatadvantage. Gases due to burning of a use element pass from chamber '11through discharge 21 around ring 19', up "between flange 15 and the fusebody and outfrombetween the cap 16 and the top of the flange 15..

This is a tortuous path which the flame cannot take.

While I have illustrated and described my invention with some degree ofparticularity,

I realize that inpractice various alterations therein may be made; Itherefor reserve the right. and privilege of changing the form .of thedetails of construction or otherwise altering the arrangement of thecorrelated parts without departing from the spirit or the scope of theappended claims.

Having thus described my invention. what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by United States Letters Patent is:-

1. A multiple fuse plug, comprising a hol low body supporting a pair ofcontacts, fuse material within the hollow body and in the form of a baseportion connected with one of said contacts and having a plurality offingers extending from the base ortion and within the inner face of the1101 ow body, a core in intimate contact with the inner surface of thehollow body and adapted to assume various rotative positions'and havinga fume chamber for selective location over the fuse fingers, and a meanson the core and ber for selective location over the fuse fingers,

and a means on the core and on the fuse body for selectively connectingany specific fuse finger with the other contact, comprising a spring onthe fuse body connected with said other contact, anda rmg on sa d coreengage mg said sprmg and having'an enlarged portioncontacting with thetip of one ofsaid fuse fingers.

3. A multiple fuseplug, comprising aihollow body supporting a pair ofcontacts,fuse material within the hollow body and in the form of a baseportion, connected with one of said contacts and having'a plurality offingers extending from. the base portion and within thevhollow body, acore within the hollow bodyand adapted to assume various rotativepositions and having a fume chains her for selective locationover thefuse fingers, and a means on the core and on the fuse body forselectively connecting any specific fuse finger with tie other contact,comprising a springon the fuse body connected with said other contact,and a ring on saidcore engaging said spring and having an enlargedportion contacting with the tip of one of said fuse fingers, theenlarged portion of said ring contact being shaped for engaging withcorrespondingly shaped portions of grooves for.

receiving said fingers said body.

4. A multiple fuse plug, comprising a hollow body support ng a pair ofcontacts. fuse .material within the hollow body and inthe form of a baseportion connected with one of said contacts and havmga plurality offingers extending from the, base portion and within ihehollow body, acore within the hollow body and adapted to assume various rotativepositions and having a fume chamber for selective iocation over the fusefingers, and a means on the core and ,on the fuse body for selectivelyconnecting any specific fuse finger with the other contact, comprising aspring on the fuse body connected with said other contact, and a ring onsaid core engaging said spring and having an enlarged portion contactingwith the tip ofone of said fuse fingers, the enlarged portion of saidring contact being shaped for engaging with cor- I respondingly shapedportions of grooves for receiving said fingers in said body, said shapebeing substantially of U form whereby rotation of the core is limited toone direction only.

5. A multiple fuse, comprising a fuse body having a pair of contacts.and being opened at the top end and having an enlarged recess, a

contact spring disposed within said recess, means for connecting thecontact spring with one of said contacts, a core rotative 'within thehollow body and projecting from the opened end, means for rotativelysupporting said core in place, a fuse within the body and j 0 e-.compr1s1ng a base portion in connection with 1 the other contact and aplurality of finger portions extending upwards in groves in the body,means on said core for selectively connecting for operation differentfuse fingers in different positions of the core with said ring, and saidcore being formed with a fume chamber adapted for selective locationover any one of the fuse fingers.

1 6. A multiple fuse plug, comprising a hollow body supporting a pair ofcontacts, fuse material within the hollow body and in the form of a baseportion connected with. one of said contacts and having a plurality offingers selectively connecting any specific fuse ger with the othercontact.

, extending from the base portion and within 7. -A multiple fuse plug,comprising a holfor the ring form and having its ends engaged in agrooveon said core for maintaining itself in place.

8. In a. multiple fuse plug, a hollow body supporting a shellcontact andan end contact, fuse elements supported within said hollow body andwithin the inner surface of the hollow body and in electrical connectionwith adapted for selective connection with any specific fuse elementexposed to the fume chamber.

' 9. In a multiple fuse plug, a hollow body supporting a shell contactand an end contact, fuse-elements supported within said hollow body andwithin the inner surface of the hollow body and in electrical connectionwith one of said contacts, a core in intimate contact with the innersurface of the hollow body and restricting passage of flames and arcsbetween the fuse elements and adapted to assume various rotativepositions and having a fume chamber for selective location over the fuseelements, and a contact on said core in electrical connection with theother of said contacts and upon rotation of the core adapted forselective connection with any specific fuse element exposed to the fumechamber, said fuse elements being housed in longitudinal grooves formedin the inner wall of said hollow body, and said core extendingover saidlongitudinal groves so as to close the groves and thus'restrict thepassage of flames or arcs between the fuse elements.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York,this 25th ,day of May, A. D. 1931. v

I I SAMUEL J. WYNN.

lowbody supporting a pair of contacts, fuse I material within the hollowbody and in the form of a base portion connected with one of saidcontacts and having a pluralityof fingers the hollow body, a core,within the hollow body and adapted to assume various rotative positionsand having a fume chamber for selectlve location over the fuse fingers,and a means on the core and on the fuse body for selectively connectingany specific fuse finger with the other contact, comprising aspring onthe fuse body connected with said other contact, and a-ring on said coreengaging said spring and having an enlarged portion contacting with thetip of one of said fuse fingers,sa1d.ring comprising a strip bent into

